Pathan Powered Indian Victory and Shattered the Kiwi Dreams

First time in the series, Kiwis did their best effort and looked like winning the match but hurricane in the form of Yusuf Pathan shattered all their dreams and hope.New Zealand reached the score of 315 with help of brilliant knock by James Franklin who score 2nd consecutive half century for Kiwis. Gambhir and Parthiv Patel gave great start to Team India and put on 50 plus partnership for first wicket. Parthiv Patel who replaced M.Vijay in this match was making comeback to the side after 6 years and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and scored brilliant 50. I am happy that team dropped Vijay in this match and tried different combination because Vijay was not at all comfortable in his previous outings. Gambhir couldn't carry on with his good run with the bat and fell on personal score of 27. All eyes were  now on Virat Kohli but he also fell on the second ball he faced and Andy Mckay created some pressure on Indian middle-order for the first time in the series by picking 2 wickets in one over  and that pressure worked in favour of Kiwis as they picked up both Yuvraj and Parthiv Patel in quick succession as well.

Here on it looked like India will end on losing side this time but partnership between Yusuf Pathan and Rohit Sharma kept the hopes alive but Kiwis again broke the good partnership as they picked up Rohit Sharma who was playing very well. Now India was 5 down and they required more than 120 runs at the rate of 7.5 runs per over. Sourabh Tiwary joined Yusuf Pathan but rain interrupted and the match was halted for more than 45 minutes but finally rain stopped but now on rain of runs started from the bat of Yusuf Pathan who brutally hit all the Kiwi bowlers and score his maiden hundred and help India to win this match. Yusuf scored 123 runs not-out from just 96 balls. One good thing of this innings was he never tried to play across the line and that worked in his favour. He demolished Kiwi hopes of first win in the series. Sourabh Tiwary did very well to hang in their and he supported Pathan very well. Tiwary ended with 37 not-out from 39 balls and played controlled innings. I feel young guy who was playing his second game showcased great temperament in his little innings and I feel Tiwary have a great future in International cricket looking at his ability to play according to the situation.

Scoreline of the series is 4-0 now in favour of India and this is now 10th consecutive loss for the Kiwi team and that will dent their moral badly but I feel this is cricket and who knows in next match Kiwis perform better than this match because in this match they did very well by posting huge total on the board and what to say about their fielding that is just awesome. I feel strongly now, that next game will break their losing streak.